The Meadows School of the Arts, formally established in 1969 at SMU in Dallas, has achieved prominence as one of the foremost arts education institutions in the United States. Learn more about SMU Meadows and its Mission

Meadows serves the public as a significant cultural center by presenting more than 400 events annually for the Dallas community and surrounding region. Read more about upcoming events and subscribe to our weekly newsletter, "This Week at Meadows".

The Meadows School of the Arts, formally established in 1969 at SMU in Dallas, has achieved prominence as one of the foremost arts education institutions in the United States. Learn more about SMU Meadows and its Mission

Meadows serves the public as a significant cultural center by presenting more than 400 events annually for the Dallas community and surrounding region. Read more about upcoming events and subscribe to our weekly newsletter, "This Week at Meadows".

Creative Computation

B.A. in Creative Computing

Creative computing is a highly interdisciplinary major that combines theory and methodology from computer science and engineering with aesthetic principles and creative practice from the arts. The program is rigorous in its interdisciplinary integration, requiring students to pursue corecoursework in both the Lyle School of Engineering and the Meadows School of the Arts. In addition, the program requires a capstone project and either a minor concentration or a second major. Study abroad is also highly recommended.

The major in creative computing crosses traditional disciplinary boundaries in response to technological innovation, contemporary arts practices and demands of the global marketplace. An underlying principle at the philosophical core of the major is the integration of creative and analytical study and practice – championing an integrated “whole brain” approach. The major in creative computing enables students to consider problems from many angles and conceptual frameworks, integrating widely disparate approaches and practices.

The program’s breadth enables students to target many different segments and professional opportunities within the digital economy, including software engineering, Web design, interactive design/development, mobile application development, 3-D modeling and animation, scientific visualization, and social media. It is anticipated that opportunities will continue to increase as the application of computation and digital processes continues to proliferate across all segments of the global economy.

Graduates of the program will:

Be fully literate in at least one major programming language (Java, C/C++, etc.) and a secondary scripting language (JavaScript, Python, etc.), and will be capable of developing a fully functional software project from concept through deployment, including platform integration, installation, debugging and maintenance.

Have a conceptual, technical and aesthetic direction informing their creative development and research.

Be equally comfortable and competent applying creative and computational methods, approaches and processes in solving problems.

Be capable of working across multiple segments of the digital economy in roles such as interactive designers and/or developers, creative technologists, software engineers, project managers, fine artists and entrepreneurs.

Creative Fundamentals
Three from the following: (Any 1000- or 2000-level courses in the Meadows School of the Arts may be substituted for up to 6 hours of the courses listed below, with adviser approval.)